Workshop@home crafts: Crocheted Beanbag Frog

Welcome to the second installment of my Workshop@Home, where I provide step-by-step instructions for crafts you can do while sheltering in place! Today’s project, a cute beanbag frog that uses a combination of single, half-double, and double crochet stitches, comes from CreativeBug, a crafting resource you can find in the library’s Workshop page. For those of you who are more visually inclined, I’m including a link to the instructional video here along with a PDF of more in-depth instructions.

Materials List

MC—Red Heart Creme de la Creme Brite Green #0625 (approx 50 yds)
CCA—Red Heart Creme de la Creme Cream #0101 (approx 25 yds)
CCB—Red Heart Creme de la Creme Golden Yellow #0205 (approx 5 yds)
CCC—Red Heart Creme de la Creme Black #0012 (approx 2 yds)
Red Heart Creme de la Creme Tea Rose #0255 (approx 3 yds, optional)
Size G (4mm) hook
Tapestry needle
Large dried beans
Bath sponge cut up into small cubes (optional for water safe toy)
Row counter
Split stitch
marker
Scissors

Instructions

Frog Body

Round one

With your green yarn, make a slipknot then use the hook to pull it tight and proceeding to create a loose chain of 10.
Next, starting in 2nd chain and working in back ridge loops, single crochet a chain of 8, then single crochet a chain of 3 in back ridge loop of next chain. Rotate chain so the front loops are facing up.
Starting in the next stitch and working in the front loops, single crochet a chain of 7, then single crochet a chain of 2 in next stitches. When you’re done you should have 20 stitches altogether. Make sure to mark your last stitch with your slip ring!

Round two

Make a chain of 2 half double crochets in the next stitch, then a chain of 4 half double crochets, 2 single crochets, 1 half double crochets, and 2 single crochets in the next 3 stitches.
From there, make 1 half double crochet, a chain of 2 single crochets, and a chain of 4 half double crochets in the next two stitches. By the time you’re done with this round, you should have 26 stitches in total.

Round three

Start by making 2 half double crochets in the next 2 stitches, followed by another 2 half double crochets.
Next make 1 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet, 1 slip stitch, 1 single crochet, and 2 half double crochets in the next stitch.
Make a chain of 2 single crochets in the next 4 stitches.
Next, make a chain of 2 half double crochets in the next stitch, 1 single crochet, 1 slip stitch, 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 double crochet, 2 half double crochets, and finally, 2 more half double crochets in the next 4 stitches. You should have 38 stitches in total for this part.

Round four

Start by making 2 half double crochets in the next 2 stitches, 2 double crochets in the 2 stitches after that, then a chain of 3 half double crochets, 4 slip stitches, 12 single crochet, 4 slip stitches, 3 half double crochets, and 2 double crochets in the next 2 stitches.
From there, make 2 half double crochet in the next 5 sts, then 2 single crochets in the next 50 stitches.

Round five

This is where it gets a bit easier, as round five consists of just doing 50 single stitches around the frog body. Once you’re done, fasten off yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. Great, you’ve finished the top part of your frog’s body! To make the bottom part, all you’ll need to do is just repeat the previous steps using the cream-colored yarn.

Arms (Make 2)

Round one

Using the green yarn, make create a loose chain of 6.

Round two

Next, make 1 single crochet then single crochet the two chains together. Repeat this one more time for 4 stitches.

Round three-four

Make a chain of 4 single crochets.

Round five

Start by making a couple of increases. From there, make 1 single crochet, then 2 single crochets in the next stitch. Repeat this step so that you have 6 stitches in total.

Round six

You’re almost done with your first arm! Moving onto the fingers, make a single crochet, followed by a chain of 5. From there, count two back from the hook and, working in back ridge loops, create 3 single crochet. Once you’re done with the crochet, make a slip stitch in the next three back ridge loops.
Single crochet in the next stitch. Now repeat the process from round two* 2 more times before finishing by slip stitching 3.
Fasten off and flatten your yarn. To close the hole, using your tapestry needle and put a couple of running stitches through the palm of the hand before drawing it through the arm. Leave the yarn tail on so you can use it later to sew the arm onto the body. Now repeat the process and you’ll have two adorable little frog hands!

Left Legs

For the legs you’ll start by making a loose chain of 12 using single crochets, joining the last to first chain with a slip stitch. Twist it to make sure your front loops are oriented the right way.

Round One-Three

Single crochet a chain of 12 stitches along the back ridge. Repeat this two more times so you have 36 stitches in all.

Round Four

For this round, you’ll be doing a decrease. To start this round, make 2 single crochet, then single crochet the two together working through the front loops, then yarn over through those two loops. Repeat two more times until you have 9 stitches altogether.

Round Five-Six

Single crocheting a chain of 9 stitches.

Round Seven

Single crochet 1, then single crochet the two together. Repeat two more times until you have a chain of 6.

Round Eight-Nine

For this round, you’ll be using a combination of crochets and stitches to create a knee bend.
Count back six then make a slip stitch a chain of 2, followed by 1 half double crochet, then 2 double crochet, and finally one more 1 half double crochet. Repeat this step, working your slip stitches as loosely as possible to leave yourself room to work with.

Round Ten

Skip the first two slip stitches and single crochet 4.

Round Eleven-Twelve

Single crochet 4 more stitches.

Round Thirteen

Start by making a few increases to make your stitches easier to work with. Single crochet 1, then Single crochet 2 in next stitch. Repeat this one more time so you have 6 stitches in total.

Round Fourteen

You’re almost done! To make this leg’s toes, start by making 1 single Crochet, then make a chain of 5.
Rotate your chain to locate the back ridge loops. Make 3 single crochet in the second chain from the hook, then make 3 slip stitches. Repeat this two more times so you have three toes for your frog.
Working in those back ridge loops, make 3 slip stitches to the bottom of the chain.
Trim the yarn tail and pull the yarn through. Using your tapestry needle, run the yarn in and out a couple of times to close the hole in the bottom of the foot.
Great, you now have a frog foot!

Right Leg

Rounds 1-13 are the same as for the left leg. The only difference is in round 14, where you’ll be working those three slip stitches first before making the toes.

Round 14

Make 3 slip stitches, then one single crochet.
Make a chain of 5, then working in back ridge loops, make 3 single crochets in 2nd chain from the hook.
Finally, make 3 slip stitches. Repeat these steps two more times until your right leg has all of its toes!

Eyes (Make 2)

The eyes will consist of three pieces, the eyes themselves, the eyelids, and Pupils. For this next part, where you’ll be making the eyes, you’ll be using contrasting color B to make a 4-stitch adjustable ring.

Round One

You’ll begin by making an adjustable ring with 4 stitches. Start by making a loop, then yarn over, and holding the yarn tail, make a 1 chain. Draw through the stitches and you’ll have 1 single crochet. Repeat the previous steps until you have 4 stitches.
Next, close the ring and single crochet 8 before fastening off the yarn.

Round Two

For this round, you’ll simply be making single crochet 8. Finish up with a slip stitch before fastening off the yarn again.

Eyelids (Make 2)

For this part, you’ll be using the green yarn to make another 5-stitch adjustable ring to start with.

Round One

Once you’ve made the 5-stitch ring, make 2 single crochet in each stitch around until you have 10 stitches in total.

Round Two

For round two, start by making 4 single crochet and, working in the front loops, single crochet 6. Leaving a long tail, fasten off your yarn and your eyelid will be good to go!

Pupils (Make 2)

This part is fairly simple. To make the pupils, take your black yarn and chain 1 before making a 4-stitch adjustable ring. Draw the yarn tail through, then use a slip stitch to round out the pupil.

Assembling the eyes

Start by trimming the tails of the yellow thread. Nesting the eyeball in the eyelid, take your tapestry needle and load it with the yarn tail. Using a basic mattress stitch, and leaving a setback, work your way around the eye and sew the two pieces together.
Next, take the yarn tail in the center of the pupil and insert it straight through the eye to hold it down while you’re sewing it in place.

Putting it all Together

Place the top and bottom parts of the body and sew the edges together and, using your green yarn, use a whip-stitch to sew the two pieces together, making sure to understuff with beans before closing seam.

Next, take the arms and attach them to the green upper part of your frog’s shoulder. Load your tapestry needle with the yarn tail, then just sew around the arm using a whip-stitch to attach it.

For the legs, just make sure the legs are on the correct side, then use the yarn tail to attach the leg to the body. Once again work your way around using a whip-stitch.

Great, you’re almost done! Take the eyes and, using the eye tail to anchor the eyelid, sew the eyelid onto the body of your frog.

Finally, using the green yarn, single crochet through the front edge of the head between the top and bottom body halves from one eye to the other before making a slip stitch and fastening it off. Then just weave in the yarn ends and you’re done!